1.4 Biophysical Studies
7
Natural ordering within open macrosystems may lead correspondingly to simple
behavior when disturbances are weak. The science of macrosystems began with
the study of simple systems with a large number of elements. Thermodynamics
is a classic example. It reveals that new macroscopic observables which have no
meaning for individual elements may follow simple relationships, such as the ideal
gas law, when the system dynamics has quenched fluctuations in those observables.
A unification of principles occurs when macroscopic laws are derivable from
microscopic laws and collective statistical behavior. Thermodynamics, initially
developed from macroscopic observation, is now supported by statistical mechanics.
The laws of evolution, the behavior of neural networks, and the rules of genetics
from genotype to phenotype are gaining similar support.
Life systems are intrinsically complex. In order to exist and thrive, they take
advantage of a variety of interacting elements, a spectrum of possible metastable
states, and a flow of energy, to support life-enhancing algorithms. Even so, as we
shall see, subsystems in an organism may be simple.
For complex systems, internal natural ordering and optimization makes it possible for there to exist general organizing principles, rules, behaviors and relationships
among participating ‘agents’. The endeavor to discover these ‘emergent principles’
and relationships is a central frontier of biophysics.
1.4 Biophysical Studies
We must trust to nothing but facts: These are presented to us by Nature, and cannot deceive.
We ought, in every instance, to submit our reasoning to the test of experiment, and never to
search for truth but by the natural road of experiment and observation.— Antoine Lavoisier
(1790) Elements of Chemistry
Biophysics covers both macroscopic and microscopic applications of physical
principles. Historically, our focus was on macroscopic properties of life systems.
These were closer to observations and easier to measure. Isaac Newton was pleased
to find a relationship between the weight of land-dwelling animals and their required
skeletal structure. Several centuries ago, a physical basis was ascribed to the optics
of eyes and the acoustics of ears. Other internal systems were also studied using
physical laws. For example, fluid mechanics was used to study blood pressure and
flow. With the successes of microscopic physics, atomic chemistry and molecular
biology, new ‘nanoscopic’ and ‘mesoscopic’ approaches became possible, with the
intent to find the machinery of life at the deepest level, and to discover the full
spectrum of organizing principles leading to the behavior of life systems.
7
Natural ordering within open macrosystems may lead correspondingly to simple
behavior when disturbances are weak. The science of macrosystems began with
the study of simple systems with a large number of elements. Thermodynamics
is a classic example. It reveals that new macroscopic observables which have no
meaning for individual elements may follow simple relationships, such as the ideal
gas law, when the system dynamics has quenched fluctuations in those observables.
A unification of principles occurs when macroscopic laws are derivable from
microscopic laws and collective statistical behavior. Thermodynamics, initially
developed from macroscopic observation, is now supported by statistical mechanics.
The laws of evolution, the behavior of neural networks, and the rules of genetics
from genotype to phenotype are gaining similar support.
Life systems are intrinsically complex. In order to exist and thrive, they take
advantage of a variety of interacting elements, a spectrum of possible metastable
states, and a flow of energy, to support life-enhancing algorithms. Even so, as we
shall see, subsystems in an organism may be simple.
For complex systems, internal natural ordering and optimization makes it possible for there to exist general organizing principles, rules, behaviors and relationships
among participating ‘agents’. The endeavor to discover these ‘emergent principles’
and relationships is a central frontier of biophysics.
1.4 Biophysical Studies
We must trust to nothing but facts: These are presented to us by Nature, and cannot deceive.
We ought, in every instance, to submit our reasoning to the test of experiment, and never to
search for truth but by the natural road of experiment and observation.— Antoine Lavoisier
(1790) Elements of Chemistry
Biophysics covers both macroscopic and microscopic applications of physical
principles. Historically, our focus was on macroscopic properties of life systems.
These were closer to observations and easier to measure. Isaac Newton was pleased
to find a relationship between the weight of land-dwelling animals and their required
skeletal structure. Several centuries ago, a physical basis was ascribed to the optics
of eyes and the acoustics of ears. Other internal systems were also studied using
physical laws. For example, fluid mechanics was used to study blood pressure and
flow. With the successes of microscopic physics, atomic chemistry and molecular
biology, new ‘nanoscopic’ and ‘mesoscopic’ approaches became possible, with the
intent to find the machinery of life at the deepest level, and to discover the full
spectrum of organizing principles leading to the behavior of life systems.